By Don Bunting

The answer to this question is bigger than this little article, however, it is helpful to start simply.  At least part of God's answer to the question is stated in James 1:13-15.   "Let no man say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God';  for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when he is drawn by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;  and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."

I am completely and fully responsible for my own sin.  NOT GOD!  The power of the temptation is not in the sinful object or behavior, but in my desire!  Without my desire there is no temptation.  That is so simple.  I need to control, re-direct, and choose my desires.  You may  think that you cannot decide what you want, that your desires are incontrollable.  That is what Satan wants you to think.  

Our interests and wish-lists change all the time!  I desperately want a racing bike this year because all my buds have racing bikes!  Next year, not so much. Not all desires are quite so easy to re-direct, but we can determine to change our thinking and WANT what is right and good.  Study the temptation of Eve in Genesis 3:1-6.  Satan deceived her and aroused a desire in her for something sinful.  If only she could have trusted God and believed what He said about the path to life and death.  If she had done that, no doubt the fruit would not have been so desirable. I need to take control of my decisions and choices.  Then I need to study and meditate, teaching myself to desire righteousness, goodness, holiness and their reward.